The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-03

sidered, would fall upon those of less value. !"
This chapter is concluded with the following,
under the sub-heading, Competition: "a
study OF the act to regulate commerce has satis-
led the mem bers of the commission that it was
Intended in its passage to preserve for the people
She benefits of competition between the several
transportation lines of the country If that
thali be done, the towns which have great natural
advantages, or advantages acquired by large
expenditures of money in establishing new
thoroughfares OF commerce. will have cheaper
rates than can ordinarily be obtained By towns
less favoraby situated. It might possibly be
within the competency Of legislative power to
prescribe for the several interstate railroads
equal mileage rates for the whole country.
but this. If enforced, would put an end
10 competition as factor in max
ing rates, and, to very large extent,
country of their several natural advantages, aud
also OF the benefit of expenditures made by them
IN creating for themselves new channels of
trade Ii would. in fact. work . revolution in
the business of the country, which, though 1t
might be greatly beneficial in some directions,
would be fearfully destructive in others Con-
gress has not. by the existing legislation. under
taken to inaugurate such revolution
The competition by water is the most
Important factor in forcing rates
to a low level at the points where
tersect The experience of the country has
demonstrated that the artificial waterways can
not be successful competitors with the railroads
on equal terms The railroads long since de-
prived the great canals of Ohio, Indiana and H.
inois of nearly all their importance. and the
Erie canal is only maintained as great chan
mel of trade by the liberality OF the State of
New York in making its use free. In their
competitive struggles with each other towns
cannot ignore the effect which the ex-
istenee of natural waterways must have
upon railroad tariffs; the railroad companies
cannot ignore it. the commission
ignore it if competition is still TO exist and De
allowed its force according to natural laws.
Neither can the great free Erie canal be ignored;
il Influences the rates to New York more than
any other one cause and indirectly, through its
influence upon the rates to New York, il influ-
deed to all that section of the country"
The commission finds that the operation of
the law has, in general, been beneficial; that it
tends to increase railroad earnings, while at the
same time, the tendency OF rates has been
downward. These facts are attributed to
the increased movement of materials induced
by faith in the stability and fairness of the
charges.
On the subject of amendments to the law the
report says: 1.-The commission has not seen oc-
cssion for recommending any very considerable
changes in the act under which its work is per-
formed. 1t has seemed to it's members that the
law for the regulation of interstate commerce
should be permitted to have a growth, and that
it would most surely as we'll as most safely at
tain high degree of efficiency and usefulness
in that way. The general features of the
act are grounded in principles that will stand
the test of time and experience, and only time
aud experience can determine whether all the
provisions made for their enforcement SAFE
sound and workable. When they prove not to
be, experience will be safe guide in
legislation to perfect it. Incidentally in
this report some need of amendment
has been pointed out. Especially ought the law
as we think, to indicate in plain terms whether
the express business and all other transporta-
ton By the carriers named in the shall be
governed by its provisions. The provision
against the sudden raising of rates ought to be
ciearly made applicable to joint rates as well as
to others. The commission ought also to have
the authority and the means to bring
about something like unanmity OF the method
Of publishing rates, which is now in great con-
fusion, and to carefully examine, collect and
supervise the schedules. contracts, etc., required
by law to be filed, as well as properly to handle
The mass of statistical information called for by
the twentieth section. Other matters, and par
whether transportation by water shall
be made subject to the act, are submitted to the
wisdom of Congress without recommendation